Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar has recently completed the installation of three new solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. The recent completion of a solar power project for the Pacific nation of Vanuatu marks the latest stage of a $50 million initiative managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabiâ€™s renewable energy company. Vanuatu is a nation of 82 islands with a population of 225,000. Port Villa, one of the more densely populated islands, is home to 44,000 people, of whom only 27% have access to electricity. The solar PV installations in Vanuatu consist of 644 kWp ground-mounted and car park structures at the Parliament House premises, and a 123 kWp ground-mounted installation at the Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department building. The new plants in Vanuatu will help to increase the share for renewable energy in power generation, displace 896 tons of CO2 emissions and save 324,000 litres of diesel fuel worth $378,000 per year (at 2015 prices). The project also provides the added benefit of shaded parking for up to 112 cars. CEO of Masdar Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said,Â â€œSecure sources of clean energy are becoming an increasingly critical component of economic and social development. Island nations in the Pacific are especially vulnerable to some of the highest fuel costs in the world due to their dependence on imports. “By helping to alleviate their energy burden, we are enabling these Pacific nations to allocate more of their resources to accelerating economic growth and maximising the potential of their inhabitants.â€ The completed project is the latest stage in the implementation of the UAE-PPF. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development provides the project funding for the entire Pacific programme. Masdar works with each nationâ€™s government to co-design and implement the projects, which enhance economic growth and sustainability by reducing dependency on fossil fuels, cutting carbon-dioxide emissions and improving access to electricity. To date, the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund has enabled the generation of a total of 2.8 megawatts of renewable energy capacity and replaced a total of 1.5 million litres of imported diesel fuel. The combined output of the projects has saved $2 million per year and also eliminated 4,157 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Originally from Arabian...

Parts of Vanuatu that have been previously without electricity are set to have access to solar power under a new project launched this week. The Vanuatu Rural Electrification Project has support from New Zealand and the World Bank. The project is aiming toÂ electrify over 17,000 off-grid households nationwide including 230 aid posts and 2000 community halls, according to the DailyÂ Post newspaper. Communities in parts where there is no electricity available on the national grid will be able to have access to solar power under a ‘plug and play system’. New Zealand High Commissioner in Vanuatu Georgina Roberts, said during the project launch that the system would help provide increased economic opportunities, employment and improved livelihoods. There is little or no maintenance required for the project’s solar system, the components of which are expected to have a lifespan of around 10 years. The project was estimated to cost US$ 4.7 million. Originally from Radio New Zealand...

Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar has recently completed the installation of three new solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. The recent completion of a solar power project for the Pacific nation of Vanuatu marks the latest stage of a $50 million initiative managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabiâ€™s renewable energy company. Vanuatu is a nation of 82 islands with a population of 225,000. Port Villa, one...

Parts of Vanuatu that have been previously without electricity are set to have access to solar power under a new project launched this week. The Vanuatu Rural Electrification Project has support from New Zealand and the World Bank. The project is aiming toÂ electrify over 17,000 off-grid households nationwide including 230 aid posts and 2000 community halls, according to the DailyÂ Post newspaper. Communities in parts where there is...

The European Union, Vanuatu’s government, and the local power company Unelco have agreed to co-finance increased solar energy on the island of Efate. The total cost of the project is more than 4.6 million US dollars, with the EU providing more than 2.7 million of that as a grant. The Honiara-based EU ambassador to Vanuatu, Leonidad Tezapsidis, says the solar power will cut energy costs and reduce the country’s need to...

Australiaâ€™s Solar Energy Industries Association Inc. (SEIA) is calling on local industry to donate redundant solar components, which will be used to assist the people of Vanuatu recover after Cyclone Pam. Cyclone Pamâ€™s destructive force impacted approximately half the countryâ€™s population. 50-90% of homes across the nation were damaged, along with critical infrastructure. Pam had the highest 10-minute sustained wind speed of any...